Meet Jessye Norman at the ROH on 19 July 2014

Soprano Jessye Norman will be signing copies of her recently-released autobiography Stand Up Straight and Sing at the ROH Shop on 19 July. The legendary American singer will appear between matinee and evening performances of La bohème, 5–6pm.

After training in the US, Jessye Norman moved to Europe and appeared at opera houses including Deutsche Oper Berlin. She made her Royal Opera debut in 1972 as Cassandra in The Trojans, returning for roles including the titular heroine of Ariadne auf Naxos in 1985.

Over the years, she’s become known for her performances of Wagner operas, has won five Grammy awards and was awarded the National Medal of Arts – the highest honour given for artistic achievement in the United States – in 2009. She is actively involved in the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, a tuition-free performing arts programme in her hometown of Augusta, Georgia.

Have you seen Jessye Norman perform on stage at the ROH or elsewhere? Share your memories of watching the star.